Renewing Your Mississippi Driver's License Online, by Mail, or In Person

Mississippi lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online if you meet certain conditions, by mail if your license is not expired by more than one year, or in person at a Driver Services office. The fastest option is online renewal, which takes about 10 business days. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal is same-day if you go during business hours and bring the right documents.

Your renewal method depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your address or other information. If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use mail or online renewal — you must go to a Driver Services office in person and retake the written test.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website works only if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address or name since your last renewal.
  • Mail renewal is available if your license expired less than one year ago, and you send your completed form and fee to the address on the renewal notice.
  • In-person renewal at any Mississippi Driver Services office takes about 30 minutes and requires a valid ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person and pass the written knowledge test again.
  • Your new license arrives by mail within 10 business days of approval, whether you renewed online, by mail, or in person.

Online Renewal Through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety website allows online renewal if your current license is still valid and you have not changed your address, name, or other personal information since your last renewal. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and a valid payment method (credit or debit card). The renewal fee is $31 for a four-year license or $42 for an eight-year license.

Go to the Mississippi DPS website, select the online renewal option, and follow the prompts to enter your information and pay the fee. You will receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file and should arrive within 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives.

Online renewal is not available if you need to change your address, update your name due to marriage or legal change, correct an error on your license, or if your license has been suspended or revoked. In those cases, you must renew in person at a Driver Services office.

Mail Renewal if Your License Expired Within the Past Year

If your license expired less than one year ago, you can renew by mail. Mississippi sends renewal notices to the address on file about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes a form, instructions, and a prepaid envelope. Complete the form, include the renewal fee ($31 for four years or $42 for eight years), and mail it to the address shown on the notice.

Do not send cash — use a check or money order. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you do not receive a renewal notice, you can request a form by calling the Mississippi Driver Services at 601-987-1212 or visiting a Driver Services office in person.

Mail renewal is not an option if your license expired more than one year ago, if you need to change your address or name, or if your license was suspended or revoked. You must go in person to a Driver Services office.

In-Person Renewal at a Mississippi Driver Services Office

You can renew your license in person at any Mississippi Driver Services office during regular business hours. Bring your current driver's license (or expired license if it expired less than one year ago), a valid form of identification, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or card. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the past 60 days.

The renewal process takes about 30 minutes. You will complete an process form, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee ($31 for four years or $42 for eight years). If your license expired more than one year ago, you must also pass the written knowledge test. Your new license is issued on the spot, though the physical card arrives by mail within 10 business days.

Driver Services offices are located in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and its hours on the Mississippi DPS website. No appointment is required, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Going early in the morning or mid-week often means shorter waits.

What to Do if Your License Expired More Than One Year Ago

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to a Driver Services office in person, complete a new process, pass the written knowledge test, and have a new photo taken. Bring the same documents as for regular in-person renewal: valid ID, proof of address, and your Social Security number or card.

The written test covers Mississippi traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Mississippi Driver's Manual, which is available free on the DPS website or at any Driver Services office. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or return another day.

The renewal fee is the same ($31 for four years or $42 for eight years), and your new license is issued on the spot. The physical card arrives by mail within 10 business days.

Changing Your Address or Name During Renewal

If you moved or changed your name since your last renewal, you cannot use online or mail renewal — you must go in person to a Driver Services office. Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or government mail dated within the past 60 days) and, if you changed your name, a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

The office will update your information, take a new photo, and issue your renewed license on the spot. The fee is the same as a regular renewal. Your new license arrives by mail within 10 business days.

Fees and License Validity Periods

Mississippi driver's licenses are valid for either four or eight years, depending on which you choose. A four-year license costs $31 to renew. An eight-year license costs $42 to renew. You select the validity period when you renew, whether online, by mail, or in person.

Payment methods vary by renewal route. Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. In-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at most offices, though some locations may have different payment options — call ahead if you want to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it is suspended or revoked?

No. You must clear the suspension or revocation first by paying any outstanding fines, completing required courses, or meeting other conditions set by the court or DPS. Contact the Mississippi Driver Services office to find out what you need to do before you can renew.

What if I lost my license and need to renew it at the same time?

Go to a Driver Services office in person with your valid ID and proof of address. The office will issue a replacement license and renew it in the same transaction. You pay one fee for both services. Your new license arrives by mail within 10 business days.

How long can I drive after my license expires while waiting for the renewed one?

You cannot legally drive on an expired license. If you renewed online or by mail, your new license should arrive within 10 business days. If you need to drive before it arrives, renew in person at a Driver Services office — you receive the license on the spot, though the physical card comes by mail.

Can I renew my license if I am out of state?

Yes, if your license is not expired. Use online renewal through the Mississippi DPS website. If your license is expired, you must renew in person at a Mississippi Driver Services office or wait until you return to the state.

What if my name or address changed and I did not update it during renewal?

You can update your information at any time by visiting a Driver Services office in person. Bring proof of the change (marriage certificate, lease, utility bill, or government mail). There is no fee to update your address or name between renewals.